The Yankees were supposed to have an off-day today to travel out to Detroit. Instead, they're making a quick pit stop in Kansas City to make up their rained out game from June 9th against the Royals.
KC took the first 2 games of this series back in June, and they send the winner of the second game and ace of their staff James Shield to the mound again for tonight's belated series finale. While he's gotten hit around by the Yankees in the past and owns a 9-15 career record against them, Shields was very good on June 8th, surrendering only 1 unearned run in 6 innings of work while striking out 8. He's also riding quite the heater, with a 2.04 ERA, 51 K, and 10 BB over 61.2 IP in his last 9 starts.

Shields will be opposed by Michael Pineda in what will easily be his most important start in pinstripes. Big Mike has been very good in his 2 starts off the DL (3 ER in 11.0 IP), and he'll need to be again tonight. Here's the starting lineup supporting him in the effort to do more against Shields than they did last time: